PhD Fellow, Neuropsychology & Cognitive Assessment in Ageing at Aga Khan University Hospital

PhD Studentship - Neuropsychology & Cognitive Assessment in Ageing

Department: Population Health

Division: Medical College

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Project Overview

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous, and self-governing international university, with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries over three continents. An integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in multiple health science and social science disciplines, carries out research pertinent primarily to low- and middle-income countries and operates 7 hospitals (soon 8) and over 325 outreach clinics, all at international standards. It has almost 2,500 students and 14,000 staff. The University is both a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. As a leading international institution dedicated to excellence and change, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access.

The Department of Population Health (DPH) at AKU is implementing the Longitudinal Study of Health and Ageing in Kenya (LOSHAK)—a large, multi-site, population-based cohort study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute on Aging (NIA). LOSHAK forms part of a global network of ageing studies and is designed to generate high-quality longitudinal evidence to inform policy and practice in Kenya and internationally.

Role Summary

The Longitudinal Study of Health and Ageing in Kenya (LOSHAK) is a flagship population-based cohort platform designed to generate high-quality evidence on ageing, cognitive health, and functional transitions in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts. LOSHAK integrates large-scale household surveys, cognitive and functional assessments, biospecimen collection, and longitudinal follow-up, creating a unique infrastructure for advancing neurocognitive measurement in African populations.

The PhD Studentship is for candidates already enrolled in a PhD Programme in Neuropsychology, Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Public Health, or a closely related discipline, who are at or near completion of coursework and ready to enter the research phase of their doctorate.

This studentship is ideal for a highly motivated early-career researcher seeking to undertake a doctoral project focused on the development, adaptation, deployment, validation, and analysis of neurocognitive tests for ageing populations in LMIC settings, using LOSHAK as the primary research platform.

The PhD Student will design and implement an independent doctoral research project embedded within LOSHAK, contributing to:

· Development and cultural adaptation of neurocognitive test batteries.

· Field deployment and quality assurance of cognitive assessments at scale.

· Psychometric validation of neurocognitive instruments in LMIC contexts.

· Longitudinal analysis of cognitive trajectories and impairment.

· Establishment of scalable, context-appropriate cognitive assessment systems for Africa.

The role combines rigorous neuropsychological science with population-based field research and longitudinal epidemiology.

Key Responsibilities

Doctoral research design

Develop a PhD protocol focused on neurocognitive measurement; define constructs, instruments, and validation framework; secure ethics and regulatory approvals

Test development & adaptation

Lead adaptation, translation, and cultural validation of neurocognitive instruments; design test batteries for ageing populations

Field deployment & quality assurance

Train and supervise assessors; embed cognitive testing into LOSHAK field workflows; implement quality assurance systems

Psychometric analysis & longitudinal modelling

Conduct reliability, validity, and measurement-invariance analyses; model cognitive trajectories over time

Scholarly outputs

Produce thesis chapters; prepare manuscripts; disseminate findings to scientific and policy audiences

Platform & team engagement

Contribute to LOSHAK cognitive assessment platform; engage multidisciplinary teams (epidemiology, psychiatry, data science)

Professional development

Build expertise in neuropsychological methods, psychometrics, and longitudinal analysis; complete relevant training

Required Qualifications

Registered in a PhD Programme in Neuropsychology, Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Public Health, or related field.

Completed or nearing completion of PhD coursework and ready for the research phase.

Strong grounding in psychological measurement and quantitative methods (STATA, R, Python).

Demonstrated interest in ageing, cognition, or mental health.

Ability to work independently and manage a multi-year research project.

Excellent academic writing and communication skills.

Relevant Experience

Experience with cognitive or psychological testing.

Familiarity with psychometric methods (e.g., reliability, factor analysis, IRT).

Exposure to population-based or field research.

Interest in cross-cultural measurement and LMIC research contexts.

Personal Characteristics & Behaviours

Demonstrates high scientific integrity and attention to detail.

Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.